Origin of the Word – Avatar

As Interaction Designers, the word ‘Avatar’ is not something new to us. We’re using it constantly and each of us surely has our own degree of meaning or connotation associated with this word. 

During a discussion with my classmates, Vitorio and Ulrik this morning over coffee we discussed ‘avatars’. As an Indian, I thought it might be useful to mention a perspective that could enrich our understanding of this word.  ‘Avatar’ has its roots in Sanskrit – the ‘Latin’ of all Indian languages.

(From Wiki)
“Avatar or Avatara (Sanskrit: अवतार, IAST Avatāra), often translated into English as incarnation, literally means descent (avatarati) and usually implies a deliberate descent from higher spiritual realms to lower realms of existence for special purposes. Descents that are of importance are mainly those of the Supreme Being which are plenary and marked with superhuman qualities. Other types of descents are limited expansions of Ishvara, and some that are descents of lesser empowered divinities.”

(above) Vishnu with his 10 avatars (incarnations): Fish, Tortoise, Boar, Man-Lion, Dwarf, Rama with the Ax, King Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalkin. (Painting from Jaipur, India, 19th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.)

Here’s wishing you all kinds of avatars! :)